From engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary bands to designer wear, a range of diamond rings are available in the market today. One can choose between just a bold and beautiful solitaire, a solitaire with side stones or a number of small diamonds set in exciting designs.

With the growing demand for novelty, today rings come in a range of metals too, ranging from the popular choices of platinum, yellow gold and white gold. With many sellers offering a range of choices, you will be amazed to know that diamonds can be set in rings in a thousand different ways. A few popular choices are listed here.

Diamond Engagement Ring

Solitaire ring settings

Besides choosing a breathtaking solitaire, you can also choose from a range of solitaire ring settings to enhance its look. Depending on the shape of the stone, The popular means in which solitaires are set include the following.

Prong setting

Also known as the claw setting, this is quite popular for solitaire rings. The stone is held firmly by three or more metal prongs that together form a basket like enclosure, also known as head. The setting allows high visibility of the stone. However on the flipside, such a setting offers reduced protection to the stone. A variation setting is the V-prong where the prongs appear in the shape of V when viewed from above. Platinum is the preferred choice of metal here as less metal offers more strength in holding the stone firmly.

Prong Setting Diamond Ring

Cathedral setting

The refined and beautiful arches of cathedrals are what inspire this setting. Here the ring mounting has arches that hold the stone in place. These arches can be designed at different degrees, ranging from small and delicate to contemporarily dramatic. Additional stones can be set into the metal bands on the side.

Tension setting

This is quite a contemporary form of ring setting, which highlights the beauty of the stone. the diamond appears to be clasped within the band of the ring. Thus unlike the prong setting, where a basket like enclosure secures the diamond, here the band of the ring secures the diamond. This setting requires special metals like titanium, platinum or gold that has the required tension to hold the diamond securely.

Besides a traditional tension setting, new designs in this setting can also be opted for. These include angled settings, elevated tension prongs, angled designs or combination settings. This is often the choice of ring for men because of its simplicity. While purchasing a ring in tension setting, do consider that these need to be customized as per the wearer. Also these rings cannot be resized due to their inherent design.

Illusion setting

As the name suggests, this setting can make a small stone look much larger than it actually is. Here the diamond is mounted on a mirror like plate before setting it on the ring. This setting thus lends added brilliance and augmented size to the diamond. While this setting may look good, many jewelers claim that such a setting is often difficult to repair.

Invisible setting

stone is fixed to the metal band without any visible means. While this appears quite like tension setting, the ring in this case can easily be resized.

Bezel setting

stone is encircled by a ring of metal. Those who want something bolder than the traditional bezel setting, can opt for the half bezel setting. As the name suggests, here the bezel is split into two parts that encircle only part of the diamond. While any metal can be opted for this setting, white metal like Platinum or white gold can make a colorless diamond appear much larger while yellow gold can add a yellowish tint to the stone

Multiple diamond settings

Besides solitaires, you can also opt for multiple small diamonds set together in breathtaking designs.

Pave setting

Here many small diamonds are put together next to each other making the ring look like a paved path. The small stones are joined together using little beads of the setting metal that blends with the diamonds. While the setting looks like a solitaire from a distance, it is difficult to make and needs skilled craftsmanship as each stone has to be cut carefully with 58 facets. Pave setting can be opted for in any shape.

Pave Setting Fancy Diamond Ring

Cluster setting

Small diamonds are clustered together on the ring surface in a range of shapes. Depending on craftsmanship and preference, the stones can be set with considerable space in between or be clustered tightly together.

Scatter setting

Diamonds are set in a scattered manner on the metal band. The stones may be of the same or varying sizes. These stones have no specific arrangement on the ring surface. Owing to their simplicity, these are a highly popular choice for men's rings.

Flush setting

stones are set in the mounting in a manner whereby the stone is at the level of the ring metal. Thus only the table area of the stone and a portion of the upper pavilion facets are visible. The setting appears very subtle and elegant and today is quite the popular choice among women.

Channel setting

Popularly used for round diamonds, stones are placed in a metal row next to each other, such that there is no metal separating them. These are quite popular for wedding rings as the setting enhances the look of the wedding band. A variation of this is the ‘bar channel' whereby the metal separating two stones rises to the top and is visible as bars. The look can be striking if the colors of the stone and metal contrast.

More Ring Settings

Besides the above settings, there are various ring-setting concepts in vogue too. For example, the trilogy rings represent the concept of past, present and future. These rings have three beautiful diamonds set next to each other in pave, channel or bar setting. One can also opt for a single diamond with two precious stones on either side. The infinity rings are also quite popular and these have a single row of diamonds that completely encircles the ring. Here also, the above options of pave, channel or scatter settings can be opted for.

With many settings and variations to select from, the choice is endless. Also with the right expertise and creativity, many ring settings that are suggested for solitaires can also be used for multiple small diamonds also. Designs include, interlocking rings, Celtic designs, filigree rings, floral and split shank designs.

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